News on social media is no longer about live news feed or trending hashtags. As a first on News Television in India, viewers of CNN IBN and IBN7 can now engage real-time with anchors and journalists through Twitter’s live-streaming app Periscope.

To make news delivery collaborative through real-time video content on Periscope, anchors and journalists of the news channels have integrated the live-streaming app into their daily news reporting, interacting with its viewers LIVE on Periscope.

The unique campaign which was initiated on Independence Day in August 2015, intensifies to churn out rich interactive content, enhancing audience engagement and empowering viewers to watch and engage LIVE news video through the app. On Periscope, viewers can not only watch but also interact with CNN-IBN & IBN7 journalists by sending messages, and expressing their appreciation by tapping the screen to send ‘hearts’, a feature in the Periscope app.

Some of the path-breaking live scopes by the news channels include the streaming of Karma Paljor’s Periscope on Indonesian Air Crash, Steve Herman’s eyewitness Periscope on Bangkok blast, Battle for Bihar, the recent census row, the current hot topic of Hardik Patel and his Andolan amongst many other recent broiling topics of national interest.

Talking about the pioneering initiative, Avinash Kaul, CEO, IBN Network & President A+E Networks|TV18 said, “CNN-IBN & IBN7 believe in inclusive journalism and in extending its points of engagement with the viewers beyond television. Getting our anchors and journalists to interact through Periscope is another such endeavour. Going forward we will increasingly engage with our viewers for real time feedback.”

Viral Jani, Head-TV Partnerships, Twitter India said, “Use of Periscope brings tremendous opportunity for TV broadcasters to build loyalty and engagement with their viewers. Through Periscope, TV anchors and channels can broadcast great live video content complimentary to the on-air broadcast, creating a delightful viewing experience for their audiences.”

Subsequently, CNN-IBN & IBN7 aim to enhance its viewer engagement through greater play in the social space.